Shirley Walker - Music of the Bat 101

[@AlphaMunky]

Rest In Peace, Shirley Walker. Thank you for providing the best music, for one of the earth's greatest animated shows till this day

[@rai_varun]

Yeah bro😔😔

[@iLLiVaTe]

till this day!

[@chloecho2448]

Hearing her talk about composing the theme displays just how much she truly understood Batman as a character. As cheesy as this may sound, I don’t think there’s ever been a composer who’s captured the soul of the caped crusader as perfectly as walker did, and I’m not sure if there’s anybody who ever will after. It’s a shame she passed on so relatively early in life.

[@The_Man_Who_Sold_the_World.]

cheese taastes good

[@gustaf3811]

Michael Giacchino has but he did admited that he used Walker and Elfman among other themes as inspirations and influences on his scores.

[@briandavion]

agreed. This is simply THE Batman theme. even today after Batman the dark knight etc, if you ask someone to hum the batman theme... THIS is it.

[@JakeSandersonMusic]

Been nine years since her death and I still can't believe she is gone. She truly was a genius and without a doubt the most underrated music composer to ever grace Hollywood.

[@rai_varun]

Yes😔

[@jimm8176]

Shirley's Batman theme is STILL the best Batman theme!!

[@DocRunaway]

Jim M Elfman says hi.

[@redking8104]

+DocRunaway Nah, Shirley's is better.

[@DocRunaway]

Red King Nope. Elfman's theme is still the most remembered and iconic (other than the 1966's series theme). Walker merely limited herself to mimic Elfman's theme.

[@redking8104]

DocRunaway It doesn't matter. Shirley's theme gives people a feeling of what it's like to be Batman. It has eeriness and emotion to it. Elfman's theme becomes annoying after a few listens and sounds like it belongs in a bad video game.

[@redking8104]

DocRunaway Personally I think Christopher Drake's theme from the Dark Knight Returns is the best.

[@HiSaimanSays]

This is my favorite Batman theme. Zimmer's theme comes close, but this theme has the nostalgia factor and it's melodious and dark at the same time.

[@mysticblade35]

Zimmer's score doesn't touch upon the Gothic themes that are a defining facet of Batman. It feels very generic. Shirley Walker's theme is very much in tune with those themes.

[@mollywoodshots6503]

Zimmer's soundtrack serves its own purpose. No need of comparison. Shirley Walker composed the best theme indeed.

[@fioot]

@@mysticblade35 but nolan batman movies weren't gothic

[@Ryan_Thompson_Guitarist]

@@fioot And that was part of the problem with them

[@fioot]

@@Ryan_Thompson_Guitarist ik but thats why zimmer theme wasn't gothic

[@cinemabon]

The animated film with her opening is pure genius. It's so moving and so powerful emotionally. I miss her.

[@FiverBeyond]

An underrated composer. Even though the theme was somewhat based on Danny Elfman's, I personally find Shirley Walker's theme to be more effective.

[@chloecho2448]

WittyNotes I agree. It tells you so much about him and the kind of person he is. It captures the sadness & grief of batman but also the resolve & triumph. It says a lot about the talent and skill of a composer when they can create a main theme for a character that fits them like a glove and understands them at both their highest and lowest.

[@vomErsten]

I find the one to be incomplete without the other, honestly. The two versions are so interdependent now that hearing either one alone feels like something is missing. If I had to pick, I would say Elfman's stands on its own slightly better, but Walker's addition is profoundly necessary for the complete picture.

[@gustaf3811]

@@vomErsten Elfman's theme feels empty somehow while Walkers aspires to be much more. Michael Giacchino created such a perfect score for Batman that It's just unbeatable in my opinion.

[@jayguero2123]

@@gustaf3811Giacchino, with how prolific and iconic his score is, surprisingly didn’t deliver with his Batman theme. It sounds a lot like the first half of Darth Vader’s leitmotif.

[@john221b6]

It's simply wonderful to hear Walker talk of her own Batman theme. It's so instructive! I've always loved her theme just a little bit more than Elfman's. His is very showy and dramatic but Walker's darker and has more depth, in my opinion. I was also surprised at how skillfully she combined her own theme with Elfman's. As a kid I thought there was only one theme and they sometimes used the first half and some other times the second half.

[@iceomistar4302]

In my opinion she was a better composer than Elfman

[@devinfaux6987]

5:03 "...and you have to imagine now that this is played with dark, majestic brass and a big orchestra..." I always hear it fade into the Mask of the Phantasm opening title in my head.

[@yanivrubin4166]

Mask of the phantasm intensefies

[@joynerkt]

The show would not be what it was without her! RIP Shirley Walker!

[@montypigofthedoodleclan8659]

I really wish there was some way that I could have learned from her. She sounds like a great teacher. This is awesome.

[@dylaningobernoble9971]

Shirley Walker was the boss. Her music is still the definitive Batman music to me.

[@pomping14]

Whenever says the Batman theme, of course you remember the Danny Elfman theme, but I always prefer Shirley Walker's version of it.

[@tezkatepuka]

both are unique and good. suits batman's universe

[@ObscureAlex]

She helped arrange the music for the 89 film, she's an essential part to Batman.

[@pranavmathur2733]

Yaa.. me too!!

[@TheEvilKungFuMan]

The late 80's to mid 90's was definitely a good era for American animation as we see the standards for story writing, music, voice acting and over all artistic quality increase.

[@sgtaveryjohnson3803]

Hope you're doing well after all these years

[@hyperpowerfulform5132]

Shirley Walker, I know that you've been up in heaven for a good 11 or so years now, but I just have to say this, and hope that somehow, you can read this: Thank you for making that fantastic leitmotif for Batman, it fits the character so amazingly well, the brooding bits and the heroic bits, how they play off each other perfectly, the question and answer, just...Thank you, madam. Rest in Peace now.

[@MrHarun-dv6ee]

RIP shirley walker. I cannot thank you enough for the great childhood I had due to your music from BTAS. Greatest animated show in the universe's history. :)

[@enzmondo]

I love that smooth and dramatic transition from the Batman theme to the original Batman theme by Danny Elfman

[@reynalduscristianus]

I was born in 1991, so Batman TAS was a prominent figure from my early years and well into my childhood. Batman is my #1 superhero in the biz and I love classical music, I love listening to renditions of orchestrated versions of everything. I never knew why until today. Shirley's music touched me ever since I started watching this show. Thanks Shirley... Thanks a million times.

[@NeoSlyfer]

Every few months I come back to this video just to appreciate the Master that is Shirley

[@LochNessHamster]

Shirley was such a thoughtful and inspired composer. I really wish we could've gotten to experience more of her work, on things besides Batman. I can't even imagine what she could've done with a blockbuster movie budget.

[@GoryRory]

I highly recommend her scores for Memoirs of an Invisible Man, Willard, and Final Destination to hear her larger scale works and prowess in action.

[@RajaSingh-df4if]

Still today, there's no match for this great epic tune... R.I.P shirley mam., your music redefined a legend. And u were a legend in yourself..

[@SyscomELK]

I remember watching batman TAS everyday before going to school. The theme always hypntosed me, what a great composition

[@yanivrubin4166]

I love how every part of the theme is composed to interact with every other part. She can take every scene and make the music work perfectly, including the twists, and quick changes in mood

[@Yodi.]

Unfortunately for me I've only just discovered her. Even more so: some people never will. I pity them.

[@nintendofan6099]

This theme is now my theme for Batman. No other can replace it. When I read the comics I imagine this theme every time Batman does something or shows up.

[@enedving]

These are such beautiful, haunting melodies. I love how she hid Danny Elfman's Batman theme inside the harmony. This woman was so talented! I'd die for a basic transcription of this theme. How fun to play on piano!

[@DoctorInk20]

Shirley Walker's theme is to *Batman* what the Fleischer Bros theme was to *Superman:* Embodies the soul of the character and severely underrated. May she rest in peace.

[@dzikuz991]

The most emotional Batman theme ever.

[@connorsrockincollection2248]

I'm gonna show my kids this show, just like my parents showed me

[@k.o.t.o.r.5119]

This was a legend born.

[@SC-ew2fc]

In my opinion, the only composer to truly capture the spirit of that universe. Such a perfect mix of darkness and light. The music was so smart and it totally gave flight to the beautiful animation. Elfman's theme is of course perfect too.

[@rebeccayang2469]

Her voice is so nice too!

[@FirebirdDude]

So awesome; I've loved Batman since I was 2! I was born in '91 and started watching it in '93. Today I own all of the DVDs and love them very much!

[@jwillis35]

Amazing! A wonderful and detailed analysis of theme construction. Walker's work on the Batman animated series is incredible and legendary.

[@apex2000]

amazing how small combination of well chosen notes can do so much,

[@rhumbustification]

These compositions have been present throughout my life since I was three...and I consider the official soundtrack to my life

[@bobservo]

she was able to do so much with simple, great melodies. miss the tv animation renaissance of the 90s.

[@grt002]

What an amazing work of music and an amazing discussion over the composition. She was incredible.

[@mrchuckmorris]

When I hear it being played on piano around the middle of the video, I imagine old Bruce remembering back on his adventures back in Gotham before everything was so crazy... when there was no Justice League or universal catastrophes to worry about... even the dark, corrupted Gotham of Batman's youth has a certain innocent nostalgia to it.

[@Aelflar]

What I loved about the Batman animated series is that the episodes stayed with you long after they were over; you`d end up in the middle of the street having the thought/mood of an episode come to you, all due to this wonderful music.

[@Elitepear]

I'm a Batman fanboy. There will never be a better theme for the Dark Knight than the one Shirley gave us. Hopefully one day someone gives her the treatment that John Williams got for Superman back in '06.

[@iceomistar4302]

oh don’t worry, she trained many composers specifically, Kristopher Karter, Lolita Ritmanis and Michael Mccuiston, whenever they get the chance they reference her material.

[@benjamm1n91]

Shirley Walkers work is amazing. shes got serious skills and she's an old school composer. writes all her scores by hand. She also wrote the music for Spawn and Superman! absolute legend this woman. Rest in Peace

[@bloodrunsclear]

Remember when people put thought into their music, even the music of animated shows? Just fantastic.

[@hkr0065]

Simple yet effective. I love Elfman's version, but there is just more emotion here with this interpretation. Mixing Walker and Elfman's themes is like pure poetry. I feel like her take compliments the Elfman theme so well.

[@afree117]

To quote a line from TDK: "Beautiful, isn't it?" RIP Shirley Walker

[@TMSokoya]

Shirley Walker: You. Are. Epic. We love you. Rest in peace.

[@nnnnnnnp]

Ah memories!!! The best cartoon of the 90's

[@lauramcknight2321]

What I love her about her version is that it can so easily evoke tragedy, epicness, creepy and compassion.

[@Corpseplower]

This is still one of my favorite end tracks on any CD I own. It acts as a showcase to how talented Shirley was and how versatile Elfman's theme is/can be.

[@batman-robin-soundtrack]

Shirley Walker is one of the greatest and most underrated film composers of all time. I love her music so much that it has inspired me to become a film composer myself. I wish I could have met her.

[@lb7706]

Thanks for this, I am a big fan of Shirley's, sad to see her go. RIP

[@JeddtheJedi]

She is an amazing composer, and the show is one of my favourites, and just about the best American animation of recent history.

[@benjamm1n91]

I studied her work and bio in school when she died in 2006. Shirley Walkers amazing. A pioneer for female composers! she even wrote the music for Spawn and Superman! Rest in Peace.

[@byrnsey01]

fumbling around = masterfully graceful

[@Creepynazgul]

Just got the first volume of the Batman the animated series soundtrack and saw the In Memory of Shirley Walker. RIP Shirley Walker. May your awesome and beautiful compositions live on to entertain and inspire future generations. You shall be missed :'(

[@TheSaneHatter]

This has a rather unique feel to it, played on a solo piano: it's like, "BATMAN: THE SILENT MOVIE!!!"

[@batdetectivetheknight4563]

A legendary theme

[@justinw1563]

I get chills when ever I hear her perfect score! Brings me right back to my childhood! The best cartoon soundtrack hands down!

[@zyaicob]

R.I.P. I'd really like to listen to more DCAU composers talk about the theory behind their works.

[@tristangransell281]

R.I.P shirley walker you gave us some great music

[@LieutenantAmerica]

This wonderful woman created the soundtrack to my childhood.

[@epache315]

R.I.P. Shirley Walker (1945-2006) Composer On Batman Mask Of The Phantasm Batman:The Animated Series The New Batman/Superman Adventures and Superman:The Animated Series DC Universe and Warner Bros Will Always Miss Her And Remember Her 😢😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😢😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇🦇

[@Marvel170]

That's so cool !!!!! This show, showed me what really meant to be a hero.

[@Kevbro180]

Thank You so much Shirley Walker for making Batman one of the greatest heroes of all time with your music R.I.P

[@TheLybrax]

I love both themes and I would really LOVE to hear Shirley's Mask of Phantasm intro in Robert Pattinson's new Batman movie.

[@Icedhope]

Though her body may have passed, her music lives on.

[@timeslush]

This is so cool! So glad I got to hear this.

[@victorvondoom4882]

she was a genius gave us the best Batman theme.... And this video is the proof thank you for uploading it

[@kevinhuneycutt9691]

Greatest cartoon of all time. This musical score is one of the major reasons why.

[@UNDERTAKERTHEPHENOM]

My Fav composer of all time... Her tracks are bone chilling and awesome, I have every ost of batman Animated series , batman beyond. and Final destination. R.I.P shirley Walker ... U will be missed ..

[@TheSchuhbox20]

I would love more than anything to get a copy of the sheet music for this!

[@NetVoyagerOne]

This theme did so much for the character, it added so much you just can't describe it. This song -IS- Batman.

[@bonyt5774]

What a great woman! I ve just discovered she has composed all theses musics!

[@ReezyChiloane]

She created a masterpiece

[@dylanlewis5113]

Elfman did the intro to TAS, but Batman's theme in the actual show was Shirley's. That's the one I always associate with Batman. The definitive Batman theme.

[@نورالدينايهاب-ف1ش]

WOW I LOVE THIS SONG IT'S MY FAVORITE IN BATMAN THE ANIMATED SERIES 1992 👍👌

[@rafiya66]

I love it. 3 I'm going to start playing it. You play great the piano!

[@Fudoko0114]

Completely and utterly amazing!

[@BenjaminCohanim]

Fantastics chords ! Poor Shirley, we fans miss you :(

[@Sener]

It's in the new Batman cartoon music album that came out. It has the score to a few episodes, plus this bonus track. Not sure when or why it was recorded, though.

[@AmiynalAnsare]

This plus Kevin Conroy's voice made for a unique experience and a definitive identity for Batman.

[@bedavelli]

Shirley Walker RIP. One of the greatest composers who ever lived.

[@narutofan9tf]

I no! I didn't know... There won't be another great composer as she, this was perfect for the Batman series. It always gave me shivers and still does. RIP

[@TMSokoya]

The Spectacular Spider-Man can take on Spider-Man: TAS though. The writing and voice work for that series are absolutely phenomenal.

[@angelusdemorte3]

She seemed like she was such a lovely person... :(

[@MightyMonkeyWrench]

It is unberably tragic to find someone so talented and so gifted... and then getting to know she died 4 bloody years ago...

[@DaGleese]

The soundtrack is one of the main components that makes Batman TAS so memorable, that and the absolutely perfect voice acting for batman, the joker, and harley quinn.... ... and actually just how well scripted it was... and the pacing of the story in each episode... what the heck, it was just an amazing cartoon! :P

[@gundamfan1087]

RIP. Music of my childhood right there.

[@anime72]

@Mysterious0Bob I feel it should be pointed out that many of the great American animations of the 80s and 90s was farmed out to Japan.

[@VenVile]

I really, really, really, really, really...I can't say really enough, but I really wish I could have met this woman and learnt from her. I never knew Shirley Walker, and its probably the only time the loss of a celebrity saddens me.

[@CaptCondor]

@byrnsey01 hm, from the way you describe it, one could say, what you mean is doubling. It's where you play either the exact same notes or a harmony in a lower/higher register, to give a piece a more broad sound. That's for instance what certain instruments are used for often, like the contrabassoon doubling bass lines or piccolo flute doubling violins - but in a different register.

[@eXcommunicate1979]

Brilliant. Just bloody brilliant.

[@marco_correnti]

I can tell you the notes for the first part, its in A minor. I advise you to try to learn by ear, it might take alot of listening but it improves many skills and can help you improv and comp! Anyway, 0:09-0:12: R.H. (melody, numbers are fingers) - A (1) , D (2), F (4), F (4). 0:15-0:17: L.H. (harmony; two-note chords) - D;A (5;2), F;D (4;1) [while keeping these notes down, replace 4 with 5, and 1 with 2], then play, A;F (1;4), Bflat;F (3;1). Ill make a score as soon as i fig out sibelius!

[@doomslayer3829]

R.I.P She made the best batman theme and i love her final destination 1,2 and 3 soundtrack

[@DomIstKrieg]

Brilliant piece of music.

[@user-kf4cn3wg8o]

She made such an awesome theme for such an epic TV show, RIP

[@csf279]

i love you Shirley!

[@soulstealer567]

The Animated Series music has always been the best.

[@Batgirl6BVB]

My childhood is back c:

[@Tacadoband]

Completely. My obsession wouldn't of started without it.